Canada to Host 2019 Olympic Softball Qualifier!

Ottawa, Ontario - After evaluating all bids, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has made the highly anticipated announcement regarding the host nations for its 2019 regional Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. As a result, CANADA has been selected as the host nation for the WBSC Americas Olympic Qualifier.

“We are really excited about the chance to host this Olympic Qualifier, we thank the WBSC for the opportunity” stated Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. “Our Host organizing committee, led by Greg Timm, is an experienced group that focuses on both the player and fan experience.”

The successful host city is Surrey, British Columbia, where the tournament will be held from August 25 - September 1, 2019, in the run up to the 2020 Olympic Games.

“We knew we were up against stiff competition in securing this bid” says Organizing Committee Chair Greg Timm. “Our committee, volunteers, fans and players couldn’t be more excited. It’s going to be a very memorable experience, as we all get the opportunity to be part of softball’s journey to the 2020 Olympic Games.”

The WBSC Americas Olympic Qualifier will involve up to 16 teams competing for two berths in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Japan, as the host country - and the United States, by virtue of winning the 2018 World Championship - have already secured two of the six berths.

The WBSC has also announced that the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier will be held in China while the Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier will take place in the Netherlands. The winner of each of those two events will earn the final berths for the 2020 Olympic Games.

Organizing committee Chair Greg Timm summed up the successful bid, “Hosting an Olympic qualifying tournament will put us on the world stage and we intend to deliver an event that will be first class in every respect.”

Canada won the Bronze medal at the 2018 WBSC Women’s World Championships in Japan, making it two World Championship Bronze medals in a row after also winning the Bronze at the 2016 event in Surrey. The Canadian team is currently ranked third in the WBSC World Rankings and is poised for a strong showing at the Qualifying event.